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Plant Guide

Best Plants for Memphis, Tennessee

📍 Memphis, TN 🌡️ USDA Zone 7b 🌱 347+ compatible plants

Gardening in Memphis

Memphis falls in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b, which means your plants need to survive winters with minimum temperatures in the 0°F to 10°F range. The 347+ plants below are proven performers for your zone — including deer-resistant varieties, pet-friendly options, and pollinator-attracting species.

Top Plant Picks for Memphis

Hyacinth
Hyacinth
Hyacinthus orientalis
Vibrant clusters of fragrant blue, pink, or white blooms burst in early spring, brightening any garden space with their classic charm. Thrives in USDA zones 3-9 and attracts pollinators while requiring minimal care.
Zone 4–8🦌 Deer-Resistant🐝 Pollinator
Linden Tree
Linden Tree
Tilia spp.
Fragrant yellow and white blooms from June to September make this tree a stunning summer highlight. Attracting pollinators and thriving in zones 4-9, it’s low maintenance and dog- and cat-friendly.
Zone 4–9🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Knautia
Knautia
Knautia macedonica
Vibrant red-purple blooms dazzle from early summer to fall, adding long-lasting color to any garden. Deer resistant and thriving in USDA zones 5-9, it attracts pollinators with ease.
Zone 5–9🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Swamp White Oak
Swamp White Oak
Quercus bicolor
Bright green leaves turn stunning golden-yellow in fall, adding seasonal interest from spring through autumn. This hardy oak thrives in USDA zones 3-9, tolerates wet soils, and resists deer damage.
Zone 4–8🦌 Deer-Resistant🐝 Pollinator
Pampas Grass
Pampas Grass
Cortaderia selloana
Dramatic feathery plumes on 8-10 ft stalks make Pampas Grass a bold landscape statement. However, it is banned in California, Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii due to its invasive spread into wildlands.
Zone 7–11🦌 Deer-Resistant
Leadplant
Leadplant
Amorpha canescens
Showy spikes of fragrant purple flowers bloom from late spring to summer, adding vibrant color to prairie gardens. This drought-tolerant shrub thrives in USDA zones 3-8 and attracts pollinators while resisting deer.
Zone 2–8🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
David Austin Shrub Rose
David Austin Shrub Rose
Rosa Graham Thomas
Vibrant golden-yellow blooms brighten summer to fall, radiating a rich, classic rose fragrance. This hardy shrub thrives in USDA zones 5-9 and resists deer while attracting pollinators.
Zone 5–10🦌 Deer-Resistant🐝 Pollinator
Tall Garden Phlox
Tall Garden Phlox
Phlox paniculata
Clusters of fragrant, vibrant pink to purple blooms light up summer gardens with dazzling color. This deer-resistant beauty thrives in USDA zones 4-8 and attracts pollinators all season long.
Zone 4–8🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Imperata Red Baron Grass
Imperata Red Baron Grass
Imperata cylindrica 'Red Baron'
Striking pink and white blooms from June to September add vibrant color to any garden with this graceful grass. Low-maintenance, deer-resistant, and pollinator-friendly, it thrives in zones 4-9 under full sun.
Zone 4–9🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Compass Plant
Compass Plant
Silphium laciniatum
Bright yellow, daisy-like blooms light up late summer gardens with bold, upright stalks reaching up to 10 feet. This drought-tolerant prairie native thrives in USDA zones 4-9 and attracts pollinators while resisting deer.
Zone 3–9🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Bottlebrush Grass
Bottlebrush Grass
Elymus hystrix
Distinctive bottlebrush-shaped seed heads on upright stems make this native woodland grass a standout in shaded gardens. Thrives in dry shade where few grasses survive.
Zone 3–8🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†
Polystichum Christmas Fern
Polystichum Christmas Fern
Polystichum acrostichoides
Lush, evergreen fronds add year-round texture and vibrant green color to shaded garden spots, brightening fall and winter seasons. This low-maintenance, deer-resistant fern thrives in zones 4-9 and attracts pollinators while staying pet-friendly.
Zone 4–9🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator

Get a Personalized Plant List for Memphis

Answer 4 quick questions about your yard — sun, soil, deer pressure, and pet situation — and get a custom list of plants that will thrive in Zone 7b.

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Other Cities in Zone 7b

New York, NY Philadelphia, PA Nashville, TN Oklahoma City, OK Washington, DC Baltimore, MD Albuquerque, NM Raleigh, NC Tulsa, OK

Browse All 347+ Plants for Zone 7b

The 12 picks above are a sample. Use the full directory to filter by sun, water, deer resistance, and more.

View All Zone 7 Plants →

† "Pet-friendly" means not listed as toxic by ASPCA for dogs and/or cats. Always supervise pets around plants. ASPCA Animal Poison Control: (888) 426-4435.